Does it surprise anyone that July’s calendar events revolve around picnic foods? July is National Ice Cream Month, National Blueberry Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Picnic Month, and yes… even National Pickle Month! Our fave HR expert, Glenna Hecht, shares five great tips to “hack” your business processes when your feet are at home, but your head is “out to lunch” — dreaming of sand and surf! Another great way to utilize the slower-paced sales mode of... Read more

Imagine the streets of your city filled with smiling people holding bouquets. Picture your social media feeds brimming with messages of thanks to your shop for making a person’s day brighter. Envision a local reporter asking you why floral gifts make such a positive difference in people’s lives. These scenarios and others like them have played out for hundreds of floral industry members who have participated in Petal It Forward. SAF’s 2019 Petal It Forward campaign... Read more

Sharing ideas and learning ways to improve your business are the best reasons to attend SAF Amelia Island 2019, the Society of American Florists 135th Annual Convention, according to last year’s first-time participants. Tanya Anderson, co-owner of Wascana Flower Shoppe in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, attended her first SAF convention last year with mom and co-owner, Petra Janssen. “You learn so much by listening to what works for others,” Anderson said. “The... Read more

American Floral Endowment will hold a Fundraising and Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 19, during the Society of American Florist’s Annual Convention in Amelia Island, FL. During the event, attendees will celebrate the industry successes made possible through AFE-funded programs and pay tribute to the donors who supported these programs. “The Endowment continues to establish and administer great new initiatives to open new paths to support research,... Read more

Whether it’s bouquets of roses for Valentine’s Day; carnation boutonnieres on a groom’s lapel or wrapped bunches of alstroemeria in water at your local supermarket it’s likely that Colombia is the source of these lovely flowers. Almost 80 percent of all Colombian flower exports are bound for the United States. Overall, Colombia’s floriculture trade totals over $1 billion, generating significant income for the country.  So, it’s reasonable that any issue that... Read more

FTD Cos., Inc., a premier floral and gifting company, recently announced that the company has received approvals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for “First Day” motions related to the voluntary Chapter 11 petitions filed on June 3. The Bankruptcy Court granted the company interim approval to access up to $47 million of up to $94.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing. The DIP financing, combined... Read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the 2018 Floriculture Crops Summary — a report that came about as a direct result of lobbying by the Society of American Florists and meetings in Washington, D.C., between SAF members and lawmakers during the association’s annual Congressional Action Days. The report provides benchmarks to identify market trends and project sales opportunities, making its publication “a huge win for the floral industry,” said Drew Gruenburg,... Read more

Personal interaction with a customer is essential. The more comfortable we can make them when they are making a potential purchase — the more they’ll buy, and the faster they’ll return. But what can we say besides “hello”, “thank-you” and “good-bye?” How about suggesting a simple DIY centerpiece that the customer can create at home? Remember- arranging flowers is our “work”, but to a customer it’s “playtime!” This is the reason that Pinterest and other billion-dollar... Read more

Jiuye Supply Chain Management, China’s leading cold chain service provider, showcased its flower storage and shipping expertise at the Hortiflorexpo IPM Shanghai, a significant trade show in Asia for horticultural, floricultural and gardening industries, held from April 20 to 22 in Shanghai. According to a study released by the Produce Marketing Association in 2018, the value of imported cut-flowers into China was U.S.... Read more

Teleflora, the world’s largest floral services provider, recently announced it has acquired Interflora UK, a leading provider of floral services and products in the United Kingdom. The acquisition expands Teleflora’s international reach. The business models of Teleflora and Interflora complement one another, as both have been connecting consumers with the world’s best florists for decades. Their extensive florist networks, combined with a commitment to exceptional... Read more

“Complexity is your enemy. Any fool can make something complicated. It is hard to make something simple” — Richard Branson The idea of data management across all user channels seems simple enough. But, it’s quite difficult for some merchants — for many different reasons. Product data helps build the foundation of a business and the accuracy of its financial results. It helps clearly define omnichannel products that are sold both online and offline. Concise data... Read more

Staycation Merriam-Webster definition: A vacation at home or nearby. Glenna Hecht definition: When your feet are in one place, and your head is in another. I take frequent staycations! I may be standing in Dallas, but my brain is in Palm Springs, Key West, Bali, Florence, NYC… you get the picture. This phenomenon sets in more frequently in the summer when employees go on vacation, you can cut the air with a knife, and people and business move more slowly. I... Read more

With proper care at store level, the retail shelf life of potted plants is prolonged. Depending on the plant species, a well-maintained blooming and foliage plant can provide years of beauty and indoor air filtration benefits to your valued consumers. Neglecting the care of plants can cause unnecessary shrink and adversely affect financials. Care and Handling Unpack product immediately. Many foliage varieties will quickly damage if left in their shipment boxes.... Read more

On June 4, the ‘world stage’ for lilies — Dutch Lily Days- — had the honor of being officially opened by a world champion. Lara van Ruijven, who was the first Dutch woman to win an individual world title for short track this winter, was the special guest during the opening ceremony. This year the opening ceremony was on June 4 in the test greenhouse of Onings Holland, Nieuwe Tuinen 1 in Honselersdijk. This is the ninth time that breeders and exporters have joined... Read more

Without a real connection to the consumer, nothing else we do in retail really matters, does it? Using technology to connect with consumers outside the store, and then re-connecting with them inside the store, are both critical to the success of our industry long-term.   While 85 percent of all sales still happen inside a brick-and-mortar store, we cannot afford to put off the technology that brings customers there and the technology that enhances their... Read more

Summer is officially before us, and the FIVE major holidays are officially behind us! WHEW! From all reports, the Q4 2018/Q1 2019 holiday season was the most successful back-to-back holidays we’ve experienced in a long time! Great job by all, especially the store teams who worked so hard to execute a multi-faceted, fast-paced plan. Check out the amazing visual merchandising skills from our friends at Tom Thumb and Albertsons — THE VIBE ATTRACTS THE TRIBE! June... Read more

Members of the floriculture industry joined forces in Miami to develop new strategies for the future of retail and hear insights from experts from both inside and outside of the floral industry. The event began on Wednesday, May 15 with roundtable meetings, where floral suppliers and retailers were carefully matched according to criteria provided in pre-meeting applications. The 10-minute sessions allowed floral suppliers to connect face-to-face with retailers,... Read more

How many of the United States’ National symbols do you know? Most people can name the Bald Eagle as our National Bird. The United States has designated various national symbols to represent the country. What about our National Flower? The national flower of the United States is the rose, regarded as a symbol of love and affection. June is National Rose Month. The rose is a symbol of beauty and love which holds a special place in our hearts and in our country’s... Read more

Father’s Day got a jump start from the formation of Mother’s Day. The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated in the state of Washington on June 19, 1910. It was fifty-eight years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official — that the day honoring fathers became a holiday in the United States. The campaign to celebrate fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm. Many men mocked the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with... Read more

The Fourth of July is a time to come together and enjoy patriotic fun with family and friends. Since 1776 to the present day, July 4th is celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities from concerts, fireworks, and parades, to casual family gatherings and barbecues. While America is enjoying these festivities, it is a great time to think about those who helped guarantee its independence and freedom. What gives July 4th its significance? It... Read more